David Hasselhoff

David Hasselhoff
Hasselhoff in 2009
Born
David Michael Hasselhoff

(1952-07-17) July 17, 1952
Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
Other namesThe Hoff
EducationOakland University
California Institute of the Arts
Occupations
  • Actor
  • singer
  • television personality
Years active1973–present
Spouses
(m. 1984; div. 1989)
    (m. 1989; div. 2006)
      Hayley Roberts
      (m. 2018)
      Children2, including Hayley
      AwardsHollywood Walk of Fame
      Musical career
      Genres
      Instruments
      • Vocals
      • guitar
      Years active1983–present
      Labels
      Websitedavidhasselhoffonline.com

      David Michael Hasselhoff (born July 17, 1952), nicknamed "The Hoff", is an American actor, singer, and television personality. He has set a Guinness World Record as the most watched man on TV. Hasselhoff first gained recognition on the soap opera The Young and the Restless (1975–1982), playing the role of Dr. Snapper Foster. His career continued with his leading role as Michael Knight on the crime drama series Knight Rider (1982–1986) and as L.A. County Lifeguard Mitch Buchannon in the drama series Baywatch (1989–2000). He also produced Baywatch from the 1990s until 2001 when the series ended with Baywatch Hawaii.

      Hasselhoff has appeared in films, including Dodgeball (2004), The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie (2004), Click (2006), Hop (2011), and Piranha 3DD (2012). Before Samuel L. Jackson, Hasselhoff was the first actor to portray the Marvel Comics character Nick Fury in the telefilm Nick Fury: Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. (1998). In 2000, he made his Broadway debut in the musical Jekyll & Hyde. Following his debut, he starred in other musicals including Chicago and The Producers.

      Hasselhoff has released a total of 15 studio albums, which found success mostly in German-speaking parts of Europe, where he has garnered multiple gold and platinum awards, with the single "Looking for Freedom" reaching number one in Germany and Switzerland. Hasselhoff has also worked as a talent show judge on television shows such as America's Got Talent (2006–2009) and Britain's Got Talent (2011).